British flock may defect to wild colonial cleric

By Peter Fray in London and Kelly BurkeJanuary 4 2003

Influential opponents of the new Archbishop of Canterbury and his "heretical" views on homosexuality are developing plans to bring up to 150 English parishes under the spiritual leadership of the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen.

The radical bid for "alternative episcopal oversight" is being considered by two leading conservative evangelical groups, Reform and Church Society, and will be discussed with Dr Jensen when he visits Britain later this month.

The groups say they have been driven to consider such an unorthodox option - pioneered by conservative churches in America three years ago - because of the appointment of Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury, the nominal head of the world's 70 million Anglicans.

Dr Williams, a confessed "hairy leftie" and a leading religious academic, has angered traditionalists by admitting he has ordained a practising gay man and by publicly backing homosexuals in the church.

"The views that he is espousing are heretical as regards same-sex relationships - he is condoning sin," said the Church Society's chairman, the Reverend George Curry.");document.write("

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He said appointing Dr Jensen, one of the world's leading evangelical theologians, as alternative leader "could be a constructive and sensible way forward" for churchgoers who "want our Archbishop to be true to the bible".

The parishes would remain part of the global Anglican communion but be set free of the growing influence of the church's liberal wing.

Senior Church Society figures say that at a meeting to discuss the group's concerns late last year, Dr Williams went as far to suggest the scriptures supported stable same-sex relationships, though he has recently ruled out moves to introduce gay priests.

The Church Society and Reform called for him to stand down before his confirmation as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury early last month. In an interview in the current edition of a British-based church newspaper, Evangelicals Now, Dr Jensen said his "initial concern" about Dr Williams's view on homosexual practice had "begun to turn to anxiety".

His comments prompted Dr Williams to write to the Sydney archbishop, requesting what Dr Jensen's spokeswoman referred to yesterday as "a friendly courtesy call" during his January visit.

Dr Jensen told the Herald he was sympathetic to members of Reform and Church Society, but it was "another matter entirely" for Sydney to become involved in Church of England affairs.

However, he declined to rule it out. "This is not something I'd be looking for but I am deeply concerned about the dissenting orthodox Christians," he said. "They need to be looked after. I'll be clearer on a number of these issues by the end of January."

But the prospect has alarmed his Australian peers. Both the Australian primate, Archbishop Peter Carnley, and Melbourne's archbishop, Peter Watson, were on leave yesterday. But Melbourne's acting archbishop, the Vicar General John Wilson, issued a statement warning that alternative episcopal oversight would diminish unity and hinder genuine discussion of important issues.

"I would prefer to see parishes work through these issues with Archbishop Rowan Williams, who has a lot to offer the church," he said. "The Reform group in England should not isolate itself and the viewpoint it represents."

The alternative voice within the Sydney Anglican diocese, Anglicans Together, was also critical of Dr Jensen's proposed role.

"Such a development would render the Anglican Communion asunder," said its spokesman, the Reverend John Cornish. "This will have a profound impact on what it means to be an Anglican in Sydney."

Mr Cornish defended Dr Williams, saying the new Archbishop of Canterbury supported orthodox Christians and held to traditional Anglican doctrine.

"The story of the prodigal son teaches us acceptance, tolerance and forgiveness. Jesus accepted those who were different. It seems to me that radical evangelicals find this concept difficult to accept."

Reform's chairman, the Reverend David Banting, said while his members had no desire to leave the Church of England they could not identify with a "false teacher" like Dr Williams.

Seeking oversight from Dr Jensen or other orthodox Anglican bishops overseas was certainly an option well worth pursuing, he said. Reform had written to all such bishops seeking their guidance and opinion.

"There's a battle for the soul of the church going," he said. "We have no intention of leaving, but we must make our protest in the most profound ways imaginable. The Bible is clear that same-sex active relationships are out."

Dr Williams was unavailable for comment. A spokesman said the Archbishop was "committed to the unity of the Anglican communion" and would view any breakaway moves with concern.